NOVO-OGARYOVO, near Moscow. Nov 15 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin has argued that the 2011 liberalization of Russia's tax legislation means the Criminal Code needs partial revision.
"Naturally, we have to make amendments, all of us, including the business community, have to make what one calls a Solomon's decision, a well-considered decision that would meet the interests both of society and of the business community," Putin said at a meeting of the supervisory board of the Strategic Initiatives Agency.
"I'm perfectly aware of the concerns of the business community, and we should find a way of safeguarding national interests without damaging the business climate that we are talking about," he said.
One reason for the 2011 liberalization of tax laws was that police were presumed to widely abuse their powers and, "to use our catchphrase, harass businesses and create conditions where business is impossible," Putin said.
"But, of course, we should see how developments go, watch legal practices and see what our decisions lead to. What does this practice tell us today? It tells us that after that decision, Articles 198 and 199 [of the Criminal Code] have ceased to work," he said.